What is this?

Z

ZIA

New member
Can anyone help me identify the make, model, & year of this revolver? It's a .36 black powder gun, that's all I know. Possibly a Spiller & Burr but I can't find anything to confirm this.



 
Just from looking at the photos, my first impression is , it is one of the Spiller and Burr modern reproductions that has be modified in to a " Gamblers " gun or belly Gun.
 
Agreeing with Ron. I see a serial number on the cylinder, which is common (required?) with Italian reproductions.

Back in the day, the long-ago day, the original S & B guns didn't have serial numbers, I believe. I don't think any guns had serial numbers in the middle 1800's.

Bart Noir
 
Ah Jim, I wish I had the bucks to own and examine real Civil War Colts. Alas, I do not.

But thanks for the correct.

But what about the way that number is on the cylinder? Do you that that is original S&B?

Bart Noir
 
Not many collectors are able to own an original Spiller & Burr, but some of us have seen them. One characteristic of those guns is the "twisted" cylinder. They couldn't get steel for the cylinder and were forced to use iron, but for additional strength they heated the iron rods and twisted them, leaving a sort of "barber pole" effect which was clear on the two I saw. The trigger guard is also larger than it should be, and the shape of the frame at the top of the grips is wrong. I agree that it is, if only on the odds, a repro, but would like to actually see it.

AFAIK, the highest known S&B serial number is 1234. Almost all have the "C.S." marking on the front side of the frame, one side or the other.

Jim
 
Ah, Bart, I don't own or examine old Colts, either (Although I squandered a few bucks on old Smiths at one time.)

But I can budget for books.
Flayderman's is about right for my level of interest, and not very expensive.
If you want to know more, there are specialist publications.


I had an old piece about Confederate revolvers. Twisted iron was a desperation move and not very effective.
 
"Twisted iron was a desperation move and not very effective."

Yep, but Spiller & Burr used it and it helps identify their guns.

Jim
 
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